Safeguarding Advice
St Peter’s CofE Junior School understands the vital importance of safeguarding and child protection. The school follows the DEMAT safeguarding and child protection policy, which includes an appendix related specifically to COVID-19
Safeguarding at St Peter’s
Please click below to view our current Safeguarding Policy.
Child Protection Designated Persons:
Designated Safeguarding Lead - Gemma Brown
DDSL - Tina Rawling
DDSL - Steph Williamson
DDSL - Karina Hazeldean
DDSL - Ed Redmile
Safeguarding Governor - Mary-Jane Tinsley
DEMAT safeguarding link - safeguarding@demat.org.uk
Under section 175 of the Education Act 2002 (as amended), *the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014, the Non-Maintained Special Schools (England) Regulations 2015, and the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 (as amended) to have arrangements in place to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.
We will endeavour to provide a safe and welcoming environment where children are respected and valued.
The school will therefore be alert to signs of abuse and neglect and will follow the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Safeguarding Children Partnership Board’s procedures to ensure that children receive appropriate and effective support and protection.
Parents/carers should know that the law requires all school staff to pass on information which gives rise to a concern about a child’s welfare, including risk from neglect, physical, emotional or sexual abuse. Parents/carers should know that records of safeguarding concerns may be kept about their child. They should be informed that school staff will seek, in general, to discuss any concerns with them including referrals to other agencies.
Local procedures state that “Consent should always be sought from an adult with parental responsibility for the child/young person before passing information about them to Children’s Social Care, unless seeking consent would place the child at risk of significant harm or may lead to the loss of evidence for example destroying evidence of a crime or influencing a child about a disclosure made.” This includes allowing them to share information without consent, if it is not possible to gain consent, if it cannot be reasonably expected that a professional gains consent, or if to gain consent would place a child at risk.
Where there is a need to share special category personal data, the Data Protection Act 2018 contains ‘safeguarding of children and individuals at risk’ as a processing condition that allows professionals to share information.
In accordance with legislation and local Information Sharing protocols, we will ensure that information is shared securely and sensitively. Information will only be shared with other services where it is deemed necessary and proportionate to ensure that children and young people are safe and receive the right service. In all circumstances, the safety of the child will be the paramount concern.
Schools will contact Children’s Social Care when they have reasonable cause to suspect a child may be suffering or likely to suffer significant harm. Occasionally, concerns are passed on which are later shown to be unfounded. Parents/carers will appreciate that the member of staff in the school with responsibility for child protection (known as the Designated Safeguarding Lead or Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead) was carrying out their responsibilities in accordance with the law and acting in the best interests of all children.
Under Section 3 (5) of the Children Act 1989, any person who has care of a child “may….do what is reasonable in all the circumstances of the case for the purpose of safeguarding promoting the child’s welfare”. This means that on rare occasions, a school may need to “hold” a child in school whilst Social Care and the Police investigate any concerns further.
Useful Links and Resources:
Childline – www.childline.org.uk Tel: 0800111
NSPCC – www.nspcc.org.uk
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Safeguarding Partnership Board
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Mental Health Support for Children and Young People
Prevent - A Guide for Parents
Why is this guide being shared?
It is being shared with all parents because protecting children from extremism is a team effort. It is not only about teenagers and older children. It is not only about cities. It is about everyone.
What is Prevent?
Prevent is a government strategy designed to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorist or extremist causes. The strategy covers all types of terrorism and extremism including the extreme right wing, Islamic groups and other causes.
Why does this apply to schools?
From July 2015 all schools (as well as other organisations) have a duty to safeguard children from radicalisation and extremism. This means that we have a responsibility to protect children from extremist and violent views in the same way that children are prevented from other forms of harm. We provide children with a safe place to discuss these issues so that they better understand how to protect themselves.
What does this mean in practice?
Many of the things we already do in school help children to become happy, positive members of society and this is the key to Prevent.
These include:
• Exploring a variety of faiths and cultures
• Promoting diversity
• Challenging prejudices and racist or homophobic comments
• Developing thinking skills and a positive identity
• Promoting British Values as well as spiritual, moral, cultural and social education
Isn’t my child too young to learn about this?
The Prevent strategy isn't only about discussing extremism , which is not appropriate for very young children. It is about teaching children about values for life such as tolerance and mutual respect. We will ensure that any discussions are appropriate for the age and maturity of all children.
Is extremism really a risk in our area? Extremism can take many forms including religious, political and misogynistic extremism. We aim to equip children with the skills they need to counter any form of extremism should they face it now or in the future.
How would I know if I should be concerned, now or in the future?
Signs may include:
• Out of character changes in behaviour and peer relationships
• Secretive behaviour
• Losing interest in friends or activities
• Showing sympathy for extremist causes
• Glorifying violence
• Advocating messages linked to illegal organisations How can I help my child to stay safe?
• Know where your child is and who they are with.
Check this for yourself
• Know your child’s friends
• Keep lines of communication open, listen and talk to your child
• Talk to them about what is in the media, encourage debate and discussion Where to go for more information
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact the school. You will find more details about radicalisation in our safeguarding policy on the school website where we also have information about British Values and spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.
https://www.ltai.info/
https://actearly.uk/